I have debts I cannot pay — where do I get free help?

Direct answer

Free, confidential help exists in every country and works better the earlier you go. Umboðsmaður skuldara (512 6600) is the debt-advice service for Iceland: they look at everything you owe, stop the panic, negotiate with creditors and, if needed, start the legal debt-relief route. Your Félagsþjónusta sveitarfélags / Tryggingastofnun (samband.is) can refer you and may cover emergency costs. Gjafsókn (dómsmálaráðuneytið) / Lögfræðiaðstoð Orators (stjornarradid.is) is for the legal side — a bailiff at the door, a garnishment, a court letter. Do not take a "consolidation loan" from an advert; that is how debts grow.

Call firstUmboðsmaður skuldara

Report toFélagsþjónusta sveitarfélags / Tryggingastofnun

If that failsGjafsókn (dómsmálaráðuneytið) / Lögfræðiaðstoð Orators

🗣️ What to say

"I have debts of about [total] to [number] creditors and I can no longer keep up. I would like a first appointment to go through my income, my debts and my options — including a payment plan or debt relief."

🪜 Step by step

Make the listEvery creditor, amount, and what is already in collection. Bring the letters, even unopened.
Book with Umboðsmaður skuldaraFree, non-judgmental. They can write to creditors on your behalf and freeze interest in many cases.
Protect the essentialsRent, energy and food first. Contact those creditors before anyone else; they have hardship procedures.
Payment plan or reliefA plan you can keep beats a plan that looks good. If the debts are hopeless, the legal debt-relief scheme wipes them after a set period.
Court letters: Gjafsókn (dómsmálaráðuneytið) / Lögfræðiaðstoð OratorsA court letter has a deadline. Never ignore it — respond or bring it straight to your adviser.

📇 All contacts

Umboðsmaður skuldaraFree advice, debt adjustmentAs soon as bills cannot be paid📞 512 6600 🔗 www.ums.is

Félagsþjónusta sveitarfélags / TryggingastofnunHome care, disability, supportFor care and support🔗 www.samband.is/verkefni/felagsthjonusta

Gjafsókn (dómsmálaráðuneytið) / Lögfræðiaðstoð OratorsLegal aid on low income; free student legal adviceWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.stjornarradid.is/verkefni/log-og-rettur/gjafsokn

Sveitarfélagið — þjónustuverNuisances, streets, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 www.samband.is

❓ Frequently asked

Will my employer or family find out?

Not from the adviser. A garnishment of wages does reach the employer, which is one reason to act before it gets there.

Can I keep my home?

Usually, if you keep paying rent or the mortgage. Say so to the adviser first thing — housing is protected in every plan.

Is the legal debt relief really free of debts at the end?

Yes, apart from a few exceptions such as fines and maintenance. It takes discipline for a few years and a clean start after.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“free debt advice Iceland”
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“debt relief scheme how does it work”
“bailiff at the door what are my rights”
“stop interest on debts”

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💸 I have debts I cannot pay — where do I get free help?